Auto Trader

Buying a new car is easy, but it could be the second biggest investment you ever make, so it pays to do everything you can to get the best possible deal.

We bring you ten essential steps to buying a new car.

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1. Why buy a new car?

You have the choice of any new car you want with the exact specification you want.

There's the opportunity to get some great offers – including finance deals and free accessories and warranty. You’ll also get a manufacturer-backed warranty to give you peace of mind if something goes wrong.

There’s a huge range of new car models to choose from – all you have to do is find the best deal for you.

2. What car should you buy?

Consider your car requirements. Ask yourself:

1. What will you use it for? Motorway commuting, city driving or rural escapades?
2. How long do you expect to own it?
3. Are you looking for something reliable, spacious, sporty, or a mixture of all three?
4. How much CO2 does it emit – and how much will it cost to tax?
5. How many miles to the gallon (mpg) can it cover?
6. What are the specifications – top speed, size and weight?
7. What type of fuel does it run on – petrol, diesel, bioethanol or electricity? Or do you want the flexibility of a hybrid?
8. How much are you willing to spend?

3. Find out about a car model

There are a number of steps you can take to research a specific car model:

• Browse Auto Trader's car reviews
• Read user reviews at drivethedebate.co.uk
• Read the latest car news at Auto Trader’s News Hub
• Use Auto Trader’s new car search to find the best deals on new cars
• Search from more than 300 insurance quotes at Auto Trader's Car Insurance Centre

4. Phone the dealer

Always confirm the details in the advert are correct – this could save you a wasted trip. Make sure you ask:

1. Is the delivery price included?
2. How soon can the car be delivered?
3. Is road tax included?
4. Are registration fees included?
5. Are there any other deals currently available on the car? For example 0 per cent APR or free insurance for a year

Ask about any pre-reg cars which may be available – you could get a new car for less.

What are pre-reg cars?

Pre-reg cars, or pre-registration vehicles, are cars which have the dealer listed as their first owner on the V5C registration document.

They are still completely new and are usually offered at a discount. But buying a pre-reg car may affect the price you’ll get when selling, as you won’t be able to say it’s a one-owner car.

5. Visit the showroom

If you're buying from a franchised dealer (who sells cars on behalf of a manufacturer), visit the showroom and view the car.

You may not be able to view a car with the exact specifications you want – specific models will have to be ordered in by the dealer. You may also need to wait for them to locate the right car for you.

Find out more essential car checks.

6. Take a test drive

Always test a car before buying – it’ll give you a chance to spot any nagging issues.

Bear in mind the dealer may not have the exact model you want in stock. Test drive a similar model – for example a Ford Fiesta Zetec if a Zetec S isn’t available.

Better still, ask the dealer to locate a model with the exact engine and gearbox you want – however you may need to wait.

Make sure you're fully insured to drive the car, and take proof of this with you. Most dealers will let you drive with trade number plates, which should provide you with cover – but check this is the case.

• Drive on as many road surfaces as possible
• Avoid any distractions from the dealer – they may strike up unnecessary conversation or turn up the radio
• Read our essential test drive guide for more advice

7. The haggle

There's still plenty of room for negotiation on the price of a new car, and it's always worth pushing for.

Why not try and get some extras thrown in?

• Metallic paint
• Protective coating for the paintwork and upholstery
• A good finance deal which can offset the car’s cost (dealers often work on commission)
• A full tank of fuel
• Floor mats and mudflaps

Dealers find it easier to sell cars in March and September – when new registration plate are released. So watch out for some great deals in February and August, or they may be eager to sell their ex-demonstrator stock. These are cars which have been used for test drives and are usually only a few months old.

You might be able to get a better deal towards the end of these months when sales teams are chasing their targets.

Part exchange

Some dealers will allow you to part exchange your old car towards the cost of a new one. Bear in mind trade prices differ greatly from private car sales – so don’t be disheartened if you’re offered less than you thought.

Some dealers will add a little to their prices to offer a better part exchange value, while others will have a lower screen price and offer lower part exchange prices. Always pay attention to the cost to change cars. You may want to sell it privately instead.

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8. Making payment

If you're applying for a loan, shop around for the lowest rates. You can search over 400 loans with Auto Trader Car Loans and Finance Centre.

When seeking finance direct from a dealer, make sure you can pay off the monthly repayments. Find out how much you’ll pay back altogether – if it’s more than one and a half times the cost of the car, you may be better off looking for finance elsewhere.

The more deposit you pay, the lower your monthly repayments will be.

For more information read our car finance guide.

Buying a car online

Sometimes you can get a better deal buying a car online.

Auto Trader’s New Cars Homepage is your one-stop shop for the latest and greatest new car deals. It pays to look around. Search for the car you want and use an online broker to get the best possible quote on a new car.

Many dealers sell cars directly from their websites, and some also include better finance deals online. However not all cars are cheaper to buy online.

For more information read our money-saving tip on how to buy a car online.

9. The paperwork

After making payment, the dealer will usually take you outside and go through the car’s dials and workings, before handing you the paperwork. Always check you get the correct documents for your vehicle:

• V5C registration document (or ‘logbook’)
• Vehicle handbook
• Warranty documentation
• Other manuals and codes for the radio and keys, if applicable

Make sure the registration on the vehicle tallies with the one in the V5C registration document (or ‘logbook’), as well as the vehicle identification number.

It’s also a good idea to keep the dealer’s contact details handy for future reference.

10. What to do if something goes wrong

Look out for dealers’ Office of Fair Trading’s OFT Approved scheme, BSI British Standards Kitemark or other trade association certificates before buying, which signify a high level of quality.

If anything goes wrong with the deal – for example the car doesn’t turn up or it’s not the correct model you asked for, make sure you protest at the earliest opportunity.

You can contact a number of bodies who offer help and advice on these issues:

• Office of Fair Trading
• Retail Motor Industry Federation

You can also contact the manufacturer directly – visit their website and search for a customer services contact number or email.

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